Excitement, adventure, love and ass-kicking

These books have it all, heart-wrenching romances, fast-paced plots and plenty of action filled adventuring. They are escapism in its purest form and will fill your reading hours with excitement.

Click the book covers to go to the Goodreads page to check out the blurb and wonderful reviews.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas – Few stories manage to keep my interest when I have to wait a year for the next instalment. Not Throne of Glass though. Are you looking for a main character with endearing swagger and assassinating wit? Celaena Sardothien is the protagonist for you. Sarah J Maas excels at creating exciting worlds and interesting characters to live there. If you have never read any of her books and are in need of an escape to another world then look no further!

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski– I was in a Throne of Glass slump when I found The Winner’s Curse. Initially I ummed and ahhed about it. I was worried it was too young adult for my liking (my good old front cover snobbishness coming into play). I am happy to have been wrong! Engrossing, it captivates you from the start, never letting you go. I love how intelligent the main character is and how the author portrays it, filling the story with moments of fist-pumping awesomeness.

Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat– This series got me into trouble. Do not read unless you can dedicate enough time to finishing the whole trilogy at once! Prepare for that groggy, headachy feeling you get having spent the night telling and retelling yourself you will put the book down at the end of the chapter… Yep. That feeling. C. S. Pacat has made an addictive indulgence of fantasy. Dark, complex, clever and boundary pushing. 100% worth the five sleepless nights it caused me and the possible permanent mental damage.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo– Every review I have read about Six of Crows harps on about the dynamics between the members of Kaz’s crew. They do it because the group works so well together. You the reader will wish to jump straight into Ketterdam and joined in their reckless heists and dangerous scheming. The Wraith is my favourite character, I still want to be her.

Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey– The first true adult fantasy book I read, the origin of my love of fantasy. An intricate setting with a host of individuals. Phèdre lives a seductive life but Jacqueline Carey is unafraid of putting her through heart-break. Phèdre is resourceful though and has a rather unique set of skills at her disposal.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir– Right when I was worried I had run out of books that could make me feel this way, Sabaa Tahir unleashed An Ember in the Ashes and all was right again. Action, check. Adventure, check. Romance, check. Unusual plot, check. Go for it.

Poison Study by Maria V Snyder– I might not have read the second two books in this trilogy but even so, this book deserves a recommendation just because of the interesting concept. Yelena is a poison checker, a job filled with risk and the likelihood of a short life expectancy. Obviously that is all you need for a love story to flourish.

These honourable mentions are from the sci-fi genre, but they still managed to evoke the same feelings in me. If you are amenable to trading your swords for more modern weaponry then give them a go!

I hope that my recommendations have intruiged and encouraged you to pick up any of the above. If these aren’t your cup of tea, then try one of my other posts focusing on different fantasy reading moods.